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ATLANTA - The governor said Wednesday that he stands by his failing schools plan, despite growing opposition.
"I'm concerned about those children that are in these chronically failing schools," said Governor Nathan Deal.
Voters will decide on Election Day whether to approve an amendment to the state Constitution that allows Deal to create the Opportunity School District. If it passes, Deal would appoint a superintendent to oversee the OSD and choose which schools to include.
In order to qualify for state intervention, a school must earn "failing" scores for three years in a row. If selected, a school would be in the OSD for a minimum of five years and a maximum of ten years.
The plan is based on similar programs in Louisiana and Tennessee, which have come under intense scrutiny since their inception.
"It's a game. I give the governor an A+ in micro-management, but he's scamming Georgia," said Verdallia Turner who serves as president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers. "There is nothing in the bill about improving education and there is no plan to improve education."
LINK: American Federation of Teachers opposed Amendment 1
Turner and her group oppose the amendment because they believe it is not necessary to change the Constitution to improve schools. Instead, they fear it is a "power grab" that will take funding away from local districts. The local, state, and federal taxes that fund the school would be transferred from the local school district to the state.
LINK: Gov. Deal endorses school district proposal
Turner worries that the OSD and its appointed superintendent would have little oversight. Governor Deal, however, points out that all school districts in Georgia operate under superintendents who are appointed by the local school board.
"I would say that there's really even a little more scrutiny that will go into the selection of the Opportunity School District Superintendent," explained Deal.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed issued a statement late Wednesday voicing his opposition. It reads in part:
"A constitutional amendment is the wrong vehicle for reform in an area where so much uncertainty exists. By amending the constitution, the public will be restricted in its future ability to make the many adjustments a program like this will surely need. By creating a new bureaucracy accountable only to the executive branch, parents are disempowered and discouraged from being active and engaged in their local school system."